r. Hare’s Reply to Prof. Vanuxem. 289 
by muriatic acid, _— an hydrated peroxide of iron was 
precipitated by am 
On reading this chins of the substance examined by 
Mr. Vanuxem, it was evident to me that it had not the 
slightest resemblance to those a Professor Silliman 
had described as fused carbon. A product which I had 
myself obtained, and which corresponded perfectly with 
his description, had been preserved in a glass tube. This 
substanve crumbled, when subjected to pressure—acquired 
no polish by hammering or filing——was utterly devoid of at- 
traction for the magnet—was not acted upon by nitric 
acid—nor did muriatic acid, which had been digested on 
vis yield any oxide of iran, or give any other indication of 
t 
These observations were made by my friend Mr. G. T. 
Bowen, under my inspection. Mr. Bowen assisted Pro- 
fessor Silliman at the time when he first ies his ob- 
servations on the fusion of carbon. On perusing Mr. 
as the foundation of a broad and unreserved, though indi- 
tect contradiction,* given = Professor Silliman’s repr esen- 
tations, is really unfortuna 
I do not feel authorised e decide whether the substance 
analyzed by Mr. Vanuxem, was that which Dr. Mecsevsi 
forwarded. By oversight, one minute portion of matter 
* Professor Vanuxem makes statements, and advances opinions, irrecon- 
oo = the representations of Professor — although he does 
pot name This { call an indirect contradic on--and | say it was 
eda areior ved, I ted, nor its final influ. 
ence on the reader suspended, by awe 2 expression of doubt of his own prem- 
ise or SG geared nor of any deference for those which he coutrover! 
Upon the m nds of all with whom me versed, Mr. Vanuxem’s Memoir 
tad t pee effect of a most unqualified ovig Mane as ae ste es observa- 
Nons of Professor Silliman o' ete: fusi +o a. jes ds, 
~ Spr after a visit to Baltimore, rca aide 
panei of that noo ys several distinguis hed cetecned of that place 
longer believed carbon to have been fused by the deflagrator. _ 
Professor Silliman, a bi reply to Mr. theories neg x es: bie: Aa 
em has not done me the bonour to mention me, 0 but 
as no other person pesage my know ledye,) has Oiblubel any ‘thing on the 
ren OF eharcont, I hg vey however > apie? to appropriate his 
rea te, r them as inte tended to invalidate some part of 
ished.’’-—See , gai Tout of Science tee 
37 
